Australia (horse)

British-bred Thoroughbred racehorse

Australia

Australia at the Epsom Derby

Sire| Galileo
Grandsire| Sadler's Wells
Dam| Ouija Board
Damsire| Cape Cross
Sex| Stallion
Foaled|  (2011-04-08) 8 April 2011 (age 14)[1]
Breeder| Stanley Estate And Stud Co
Owner| Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Teo Ah Khing
Trainer| Aidan O'Brien
Record| 8:5-2-1
Earnings| £2,090,503
Major wins
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Trial (2013)
Epsom Derby (2014)
Irish Derby (2014)
International Stakes (2014)
Awards
World's top-rated Intermediate distance horse (2014)
World's top-rated three-year-old colt (2014)

Australia (foaled 8 April 2011) is an Irish-bred, retired Thoroughbred racehorse and breeding stallion best known for winning the 2014 Epsom Derby. As a two-year-old in 2013, he won two of his three races, creating a very favourable impression when winning the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Trial Stakes, and was highly regarded by his trainer Aidan O'Brien. In May 2014 he finished third behind Night of Thunder and Kingman in the 2000 Guineas before winning the Epsom Derby on 7 June. He subsequently won the Irish Derby and International Stakes before being defeated by The Grey Gatsby in the Irish Champion Stakes. His racing career was ended by injury in October 2014. He is standing at Coolmore stud.

## Background

[edit]

Australia is a chestnut stallion with a narrow white blaze bred by the Newmarket-based Stanley House stud.[2] Australia was sired by Galileo, a Derby winner himself who went on to become an outstanding breeding stallion, winning the title of champion sire on five occasions.[3] Galileo had sired two previous Epsom Derby winners New Approach in 2007 and Ruler of the World in 2013.[4] Australia's dam Ouija Board won seven Group One races including the 2004 Epsom Oaks and was twice named European Horse of the Year. He is the fourth foal produced by Ouija Board and second to Galileo. Australia's older sister Filia Regina had limited success with only a single victory in a handicap at Yarmouth. His half-brother Our Voodoo Prince won three races in Britain before being sold and won a Group Three race in Australia as a gelding before being retired in 2015.

In October 2012, the yearling was sent to the Tattersalls sales where he was bought for 525,000 guineas by the bloodstock agent Dermot "Demi" O'Byrne acting on behalf of John Magnier's Coolmore organisation.[5] For racing purposes, Australia ran in the ownership of a partnership consisting of Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor and the Malaysian architect and entrepreneur Teo Ah Khing of Desert Star Holdings.[6] Jockey Joseph O'Brien rode Australia in all the races of his career and wore the purple silks of Derrick Smith on all those occasions.

Co-owner Susan Magnier is in charge of naming Coolmore's horses. Her husband John believes she had kept the name "Australia" for a promising horse who might one day stand at their Australian Stud.[7]

## Racing career

[edit]

### 2013: two-year-old season

[edit]

Australia's first race was a seven-furlong maiden race at the Curragh on 30 June. He was made favourite, but started very slowly and although finishing strongly failed by a neck to catch the Jim Bolger-trained Renaissance Art.[8] He returned over the same course and distance and recorded his first success, beating ten opponents at odds of 30/100.[9] Australia was then moved up in class for the Group Three Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Trial Stakes over one mile at Leopardstown Racecourse on 7 September. In a four-runner field he started second favourite behind Free Eagle, a Dermot Weld-trained colt who had won his debut by five and a half lengths. Australia raced in third behind Kingfisher and Free Eagle before taking the lead approaching the final furlong. In the closing stages he accelerated clear to win by six lengths in "impressive" style.[10]

### 2014: three-year-old season

[edit]

Australia at the Epsom Derby

### Spring

[edit]

Australia did not contest any trial races in spring 2014, making his seasonal début in the 2000 Guineas over the Rowley mile at Newmarket Racecourse on 3 May. Starting the 5/2 second choice in the betting he raced down the stands side (the left side from the jockeys' viewpoint) as the field split into two groups on either side of the wide Newmarket straight. He took the lead of the stands-side group in the closing stages but was beaten into third by Night of Thunder and Kingman, both of whom had raced on the opposite side for almost all the way.[11]

After the Guineas, O'Brien said he was "delighted" with the run and the ante-post odds for Australia to win The Derby were shortened from 9/4 to 7/4. Australia did not take part in any of the traditional Derby trials but the poor performance of Godolphin's colt True Story in the Dante Stakes caused the odds to be shortened to odds-on.[12] Coral made him 4/6 to win the classic. Despite Australia not competing in any trials many other fellow Ballydoyle horses did. Orchestra won the Chester Vase and the odds on him following up the win with a Derby victory like Ruler of the World the previous year were shortened. Kingfisher won the Dee Stakes whilst Geoffrey Chaucer finished third in a messy renewal of the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial.[13] Two weeks before the Derby bookmakers reported a surge of bets on Geoffrey Chaucer and eased their price on Australia in response.[14] The threat of rain on Derby day also caused a further lengthening of Australia's odds as it was thought that Kingston Hill would do well on the softer ground.[15]

### Summer

[edit]

Australia goes to the post for the Juddmonte International at York, 2014

On 7 June, Australia started 11/8 favourite for the Derby ahead of Kingston Hill (15/2) and the Godolphin runner True Story (8/1) in a field of sixteen runners. Australia was calm in the parade ring and on the way to the start and was the final horse to be loaded into the stalls before the race. Once underway the 50/1 outsider Our Channel took the early lead and set a strong pace from Kingfisher, with Kingston Hill next as Joseph O'Brien settled Australia towards the rear of the field. Approaching the final turn Australia made rapid progress on the outside and moved into contention early in the straight as Kingston Hill took the lead. Australia overtook Kingston Hill approaching the final furlong and won decisively by one and a quarter lengths.[16] After the race, Aidan O'Brien said: "Listen, a long time ago we thought he was very special.We wanted to be here with him, but you can never be sure because there are so many variables. Listen, things can go wrong so big credit to everyone at home". Joseph O'Brien commented, "horses don't come any easier to ride than this one. He's the best."[17]

Three weeks after his win at Epsom, Australia contested the Irish Derby at the Curragh in an attempt to follow in the footsteps of both his parents by winning both countries' classics. Epsom Derby second Kingston Hill was withdrawn from the race because of the firm ground, which meant Australia had little serious opposition and started at odds of 1/8. In what was described as "little more than an exercise routine" Australia won very easily by two and a half lengths from his stable companion Kingfisher with Orchestra a further two and a half lengths back in third. After the race Aidan O'Brien confirmed Australia would be targeted at the International Stakes and Irish Champion Stakes as "he'd have no problem going back to 1m 2f."[18]

After a break on 20 August 2014 Australia travelled to York Racecourse to compete in the International Stakes against older horses for the first time. Prior to the race there was speculation as to who would ride Australia as Joseph O'Brien would be unable to make the 8 st 12 lb required and Ryan Moore was booked by Sir Michael Stoute to ride Telescope.[19]

Australia before the final race of his career at Leopardstown

Three days before the race it was revealed Joseph O'Brien was going to make the weight, the first time he would ride under 9 st since riding Magician in the Dubai Sheema Classic.[20] Despite a strong field including Telescope the Hardwicke Stakes winner, Mukhadram the Eclipse Stakes winner and French Derby winner The Grey Gatsby, who had also won the Dante Stakes over the course and distance earlier in the year, Australia started the 8/13 favourite. Stablemate Kingfisher was runner as a pacemaker. Like at Epsom, Australia was last to load and after sitting at the back with The Grey Gatsby they both ran on in the last three furlongs. Australia went on to win, becoming the first horse to complete the Derby-International double in the same season since Sea the Stars.

### Autumn

[edit]

On 14 September, Australia faced a rematch against The Grey Gatsby in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown and started the 30/100 favourite against a field which also included Al Kazeem, Mukhadram and Trading Leather despite Joseph O'Brien being unable to ride at 9 st, leading to the colt carrying 9 st 1 lb. He was restrained at the rear of the field before making progress on the wide outside on the turn into the straight. He took the lead approaching the final furlong but was overtaken in the closing stages and beaten a neck by The Grey Gatsby. After the race Aidan O'Brien said "Everything that could go wrong... went wrong" whilst Joseph said "I’d probably do things slightly differently if I had it back again, but we live and learn".[21]

## Retirement

[edit]

On 11 October 2014 as part of a feature about Coolmore on Channel 4 racing's morning line, it was announced that Australia would be retired. It was revealed he had developed a hoof infection and a suspected abscess. Continued lameness due to this problem had jeopardised his preparation for a run in either the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes or the Champion Stakes on British Champions' Day. The decision was made to retire him, and to stand him at Coolmore Stud alongside his father Galileo and fellow Derby winners Pour Moi and Camelot. His first season stud fee was not announced.[22][23]

## Stud career

[edit]

Australia at stud in 2015

On 4 November 2014 Australia's stud fee was announced to be €50,000.[24] He began covering mares in the 2015 breeding season. Mares revealed include Highland Gift, the dam of Golan and Tartan Bearer and Azeema, a half sister to Al Kazeem.[25][26] His 2016 stud fee remained at €50,000. In 2018, his stud fee was €35,000, which had fallen to €10,000 by 2024. His most important progeny was Lambourn, who emulated him by winning the Epsom Derby in 2025.

### Notable progeny

[edit]

c = colt, f = filly, g = gelding

Foaled | Name | Sex | Major wins

|
|
|

2016  | Broome | c  | Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, Dubai Gold Cup
2017  | Galileo Chrome | c  | St Leger Stakes
2017  | Order of Australia | c  | Breeders' Cup Mile
2017  | Mare Australis | c  | Prix Ganay
2018  | Ocean Road (IRE)  | f  | Gamely Stakes
2022  | Lambourn | c  | Epsom Derby
2022  | Cercene  | f  | Coronation Stakes

## Assessment and awards

[edit]

In the 2014 World's Best Racehorse Rankings, Australia was rated the third-best horse to race anywhere in the world in 2014 behind the Japanese horses Just A Way and Epiphaneia and level with Able Friend, Kingman, The Grey Gatsby and Variety Club. He was the joint top-rated horse in the Intermediate distance division and the joint top-rated three-year-old.[27]

## Pedigree

[edit]

Pedigree of Australia (GB), chestnut colt, 2011[1] Sire
Galileo (IRE)
1998  | Sadler's Wells (USA)
1981  | Northern Dancer | Nearctic

|
|
|

Natalma
Fairy Bridge  | Bold Reason
Special
Urban Sea (USA)
ch. 1989  | Miswaki | Mr. Prospector
Hopespringseternal
Allegretta  | Lombard
Anatevka
Dam
Ouija Board (GB)
2001  | Cape Cross (IRE)
1994  | Green Desert | Danzig
Foreign Courier
Park Appeal | Ahonoora
Balidares
Selection Board (GB)
1982  | Welsh Pageant | Tudor Melody
Picture Light
Ouija  | Silly Season
Samanda (Family 12-b)[2]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "Australia pedigree". Equineline. 2014-03-07. Retrieved 2014-05-13.
2. ^ a b "Thoroughbred Bloodlines – Diana – Family 12-b". Bloodlines.net. Retrieved 2014-05-12.
3. ^ "Leading Sires of Great Britain and Ireland". Tbheritage.com. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
4. ^ "Galileo Stud Record". Racing Post. 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
5. ^ "Tattersalls October Yearlings Sale". Racing Post. October 2012. Archived from the original on 2014-05-14. Retrieved 2014-05-13.
6. ^ "TEO AH KHING". China Horse Club. Archived from the original on 2014-07-05. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
7. ^ "Australia becomes a first winner with China link". thoroughbrednews.com.au. 2014-06-08. Retrieved 2014-06-08.
8. ^ "Barronstown Stud Maiden result". Racing Post. 30 June 2013. Retrieved 2014-05-13.
9. ^ "Darley Maiden result". Racing Post. 20 July 2013. Retrieved 2014-05-13.
10. ^ "BC Juvenile Turf Trial Stakes result". Racing Post. 7 September 2013. Retrieved 2014-05-13.
11. ^ "2000 Guineas result". Racing Post. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 2014-05-13.
12. ^ Greg Wood. "Australia odds-on for the Derby after True Story flops in Dante Stakes". The Guardian. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
13. ^ Tony O'Hehir. "Moore on Chaucer as O'Brien confirms Derby plans". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
14. ^ Tom Park (22 May 2014). "Australia eased as money comes for Chaucer". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 28 May 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
15. ^ Stuart Riley (4 June 2014). "Met Office forecast torrential rain for Derby day". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
16. ^ "Epsom Derby result". Racing Post. 7 June 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
17. ^ Keogh, Frank (7 June 2014). "Australia wins to make history for Aidan O'Brien". BBC. Retrieved 2014-06-07.
18. ^ Tony Smurthwaite (28 June 2014). "Australia wins Irish Derby at a stroll". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 16 December 2014. Retrieved 2014-06-28.
19. ^ David Milnes And Tony O’hehir (13 August 2014). "New jockey for Australia – if he lines up at York". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 21 August 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
20. ^ "Joseph O'Brien confident of making weight for Australia ride at York". RTÉ. 18 August 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
21. ^ Racing Post
22. ^ "Derby winner Australia retired". BBC Sport.
23. ^ "Our stallions: Australia". Coolmore. Archived from the original on 2014-10-24. Retrieved 2014-10-24.
24. ^ Daragh Ó Conchúir (5 November 2014). "Australia stud fee set at €50,000". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
25. ^ Martin Stevens (20 January 2015). "Ballymacoll Stud star mare to visit Australia". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 6 August 2016.
26. ^ "Al Kazeem dam to visit star miler Kingman". Racing Post. Archived from the original on 2015-04-14. Retrieved 2015-04-07.
27. ^ "The 2014 World Thoroughbred Rankings". International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities. Retrieved 2015-01-21.

## External links

[edit]

* Career 1-2-3 Colour Chart – Australia

* v
* t
* e

Epsom Derby winners

* 1780 Diomed
* 1781 Young Eclipse
* 1782 Assassin
* 1783 Saltram
* 1784 Serjeant
* 1785 Aimwell
* 1786 Noble
* 1787 Sir Peter Teazle
* 1788 Sir Thomas
* 1789 Skyscraper
* 1790 Rhadamanthus
* 1791 Eager
* 1792 John Bull
* 1793 Waxy
* 1794 Daedalus
* 1795 Spread Eagle
* 1796 Didelot
* 1797 colt by Fidget
* 1798 Sir Harry
* 1799 Archduke
* 1800 Champion
* 1801 Eleanor ♥
* 1802 Tyrant
* 1803 Ditto
* 1804 Hannibal
* 1805 Cardinal Beaufort
* 1806 Paris
* 1807 Election
* 1808 Pan
* 1809 Pope
* 1810 Whalebone
* 1811 Phantom
* 1812 Octavius
* 1813 Smolensko
* 1814 Blucher
* 1815 Whisker
* 1816 Prince Leopold
* 1817 Azor
* 1818 Sam
* 1819 Tiresias
* 1820 Sailor
* 1821 Gustavus
* 1822 Moses
* 1823 Emilius
* 1824 Cedric
* 1825 Middleton
* 1826 Lap-dog
* 1827 Mameluke
* 1828 Cadland
* 1829 Frederick
* 1830 Priam
* 1831 Spaniel
* 1832 St. Giles
* 1833 Dangerous
* 1834 Plenipotentiary
* 1835 Mundig
* 1836 Bay Middleton
* 1837 Phosphorus
* 1838 Amato
* 1839 Bloomsbury
* 1840 Little Wonder
* 1841 Coronation
* 1842 Attila
* 1843 Cotherstone
* 1844 Orlando
* 1845 The Merry Monarch
* 1846 Pyrrhus The First
* 1847 Cossack
* 1848 Surplice
* 1849 The Flying Dutchman
* 1850 Voltigeur
* 1851 Teddington
* 1852 Daniel O'Rourke
* 1853 West Australian ₩
* 1854 Andover
* 1855 Wild Dayrell
* 1856 Ellington
* 1857 Blink Bonny ♥
* 1858 Beadsman
* 1859 Musjid
* 1860 Thormanby
* 1861 Kettledrum
* 1862 Caractacus
* 1863 Macaroni
* 1864 Blair Athol
* 1865 Gladiateur ₩
* 1866 Lord Lyon ₩
* 1867 Hermit
* 1868 Blue Gown
* 1869 Pretender
* 1870 Kingcraft
* 1871 Favonius
* 1872 Cremorne
* 1873 Doncaster
* 1874 George Frederick
* 1875 Galopin
* 1876 Kisber
* 1877 Silvio
* 1878 Sefton
* 1879 Sir Bevys
* 1880 Bend Or
* 1881 Iroquois
* 1882 Shotover ♥
* 1883 St. Blaise
* 1884 St. Gatien
* Harvester
* 1885 Melton
* 1886 Ormonde ₩
* 1887 Merry Hampton
* 1888 Ayrshire
* 1889 Donovan
* 1890 Sainfoin
* 1891 Common ₩
* 1892 Sir Hugo
* 1893 Isinglass ₩
* 1894 Ladas
* 1895 Sir Visto
* 1896 Persimmon
* 1897 Galtee More ₩
* 1898 Jeddah
* 1899 Flying Fox ₩
* 1900 Diamond Jubilee ₩
* 1901 Volodyovski
* 1902 Ard Patrick
* 1903 Rock Sand ₩
* 1904 St. Amant
* 1905 Cicero
* 1906 Spearmint
* 1907 Orby
* 1908 Signorinetta ♥
* 1909 Minoru
* 1910 Lemberg
* 1911 Sunstar
* 1912 Tagalie ♥
* 1913 Aboyeur
* 1914 Durbar
* 1915 Pommern ₩
* 1916 Fifinella ♥
* 1917 Gay Crusader ₩
* 1918 Gainsborough ₩
* 1919 Grand Parade
* 1920 Spion Kop
* 1921 Humorist
* 1922 Captain Cuttle
* 1923 Papyrus
* 1924 Sansovino
* 1925 Manna
* 1926 Coronach
* 1927 Call Boy
* 1928 Felstead
* 1929 Trigo
* 1930 Blenheim
* 1931 Cameronian
* 1932 April the Fifth
* 1933 Hyperion
* 1934 Windsor Lad
* 1935 Bahram ₩
* 1936 Mahmoud
* 1937 Mid-day Sun
* 1938 Bois Roussel
* 1939 Blue Peter
* 1940 Pont l'Eveque
* 1941 Owen Tudor
* 1942 Watling Street
* 1943 Straight Deal
* 1944 Ocean Swell
* 1945 Dante
* 1946 Airborne
* 1947 Pearl Diver
* 1948 My Love
* 1949 Nimbus
* 1950 Galcador
* 1951 Arctic Prince
* 1952 Tulyar
* 1953 Pinza
* 1954 Never Say Die
* 1955 Phil Drake
* 1956 Lavandin
* 1957 Crepello
* 1958 Hard Ridden
* 1959 Parthia
* 1960 St. Paddy
* 1961 Psidium
* 1962 Larkspur
* 1963 Relko
* 1964 Santa Claus
* 1965 Sea Bird
* 1966 Charlottown
* 1967 Royal Palace
* 1968 Sir Ivor
* 1969 Blakeney
* 1970 Nijinsky ₩
* 1971 Mill Reef
* 1972 Roberto
* 1973 Morston
* 1974 Snow Knight
* 1975 Grundy
* 1976 Empery
* 1977 The Minstrel
* 1978 Shirley Heights
* 1979 Troy
* 1980 Henbit
* 1981 Shergar
* 1982 Golden Fleece
* 1983 Teenoso
* 1984 Secreto
* 1985 Slip Anchor
* 1986 Shahrastani
* 1987 Reference Point
* 1988 Kahyasi
* 1989 Nashwan
* 1990 Quest For Fame
* 1991 Generous
* 1992 Dr Devious
* 1993 Commander in Chief
* 1994 Erhaab
* 1995 Lammtarra
* 1996 Shaamit
* 1997 Benny the Dip
* 1998 High-Rise
* 1999 Oath
* 2000 Sinndar
* 2001 Galileo
* 2002 High Chaparral
* 2003 Kris Kin
* 2004 North Light
* 2005 Motivator
* 2006 Sir Percy
* 2007 Authorized
* 2008 New Approach
* 2009 Sea the Stars
* 2010 Workforce
* 2011 Pour Moi
* 2012 Camelot
* 2013 Ruler of the World
* 2014 Australia
* 2015 Golden Horn
* 2016 Harzand
* 2017 Wings of Eagles
* 2018 Masar
* 2019 Anthony Van Dyck
* 2020 Serpentine
* 2021 Adayar
* 2022 Desert Crown
* 2023 Auguste Rodin
* 2024 City of Troy
* 2025 Lambourn

Legend \- ₩ = Triple Crown Winners, ♥ = Filly
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template